Mondraker has introduced the latest F-Podium, consolidating its top-of-the-range carbon XC race bike with 110mm travel. Gone is the option for a 100mm “true XC” version and a 115mm down-country version. Today, those are replaced by a bike that delivers its rear wheel travel via a new platform, known as the Updated ZERO Suspension System.
The new bike is said to be ready for the latest tech cross-country race tracks have to offer. Rebecca Henderson and Ondrej Cink have been proving that at World Cup XC races since Round 6 in Les Gets. The new bike’s most notable result was delivered by Henderson just last weekend, when she took 3rd place in the XCC Short Track in Snowshoe.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the details.
2024 Mondraker F-Podium XC Race Bike
- Bike: 2024 Mondraker F-Podium
- Frame Material: Carbon
- Fork Travel: 120mm
- Rear Wheel Travel: 110mm
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Claimed Frame Weight: <2kg
- Price: $6,299 – $13,999 USD
The 2024 F-Podium delivers a fine silhouette. The top tube moves to a flattened, straight tube profile, while the swingarm moves to an asymmetric design permitted by the switch to the Updated ZERO Suspension System. These things, coupled with introduction of love-it-or-hate-it thru-headset cable routing, give the bike a super sharp aesthetic that the predecessor was lacking.
This is especially true for the top-end F-Podium RR SL with the integrated ON-OFF carbon bar.
Looks aside, the changes come with some tangible differences in geometry and suspension kinematic that Mondraker believe are more fit for the gnar-riddled descents of the modern cross-country race track.
F-Podium Geometry
It will be no surprise to learn that the 2024 Mondraker F-Podium sees a set of geometry numbers that more closely match the previous generation’s downcountry model. Even so, the head angle slackens off slightly to 66.5°, with the seat tube now more upright at 76° across the S-XL range.
Chainstay length is up slightly, now at 435mm. Reach goes longer for sizes M-XL (S remains unchanged at 430mm), now at 480mm in L. None of those changes are significant in their own right, but when combined they deliver a bike with a wheelbase that is 17mm longer overall (size L).
Head tube length is increased by around 5mm across all frame sizes and, somewhat surprisingly, the seat tubes on the S and M frames are 20mm taller, too. Actually, the seat tube on the XL is a little shorter at 510mm, with no change to the 470mm seat tube on the L.
Updated ZERO Suspension Design
Variations on the linkage-driven single-pivot design are most commonly seen in the world of XC. Frame manufacturers usually rely on flexible stays to introduce an additional pivot without the weight penalty that comes with the actual hardware of one. It is seemingly the lightest way to design a full suspension XC bike.
Regardless, for quite some time, Mondraker has done things its way with the instantly-recognizable dual-link design called the ZERO Suspension system. 2024 is no grand departure from that, but the linkage does see a not-insignificant change to the way the shock is driven.
The new linkage takes on a similar layout to that seen on the 150mm travel NEAT eMTB. This is still a dual-link design wherein the shock sits between two seat tube struts. But, it is now mounted directly to the swingarm, as opposed to the lower link. So, the shock is still “floating”, if you will, being compressed from either end simultaneously as the rear wheel is pushed into its travel.
But, the revised linkage is said to give the F-Podium a lighter, more compact, and stiffer rear triangle, with a more progressive leverage curve to boot. The specifics of these claims aren’t divulged.
Key Frame Details & Weights
Mondraker tells us the new F-Podium frame weight is under 2 kg. They aren’t publishing a specific weight, but state that is is very similar to the weight of the outgoing frame. In lieu of that, here are some key frame details:
- 165mm x 45mm Trunnion Shock
- Clearance for 29″ x 2.4″ tires
- Threaded BB73
- 160mm Post Mount
- Boost 12mm x 148mm spacing
- SRAM UDH
- Fidlock-compatible recess on downtube
- Custom rubber frame protection
Pricing & Availability
Mondraker launch the 2024 F-Podium with four models, all boasting a full carbon frame and 3-Position remote lock-out for the fork and shock. And, all get a lifetime warrant. International pricing is below.
Pricing starts at $6,299 USD (£4,999) for the F-Podium base build. Highlight components include a RockShox SID fork, SIDLuxe shock, SRAM GX/NX Eagle drivetrain, Level T brakes and Maxxis Rekon Race 2.35″ tires in the EXP casing. This is the only one that is sans dropper seat post.
Next up is the F-Podium R, priced at $7,799 USD (£6,299). This one boasts Fox suspension, with a Fox 34 Step Cast Performance fork and a Float SL Performance SV EVOL shock. It also has a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, but the Level brakes switch to the Bronze Stealth version. The Maxxis Rekon Race tires are 2.4″ on this build.
The second most expensive option is the F-Podium RR. It sees the Factory versions of the aforementioned Fox suspension, with the Kashima coated stanchions. The drivetrain gets an upgrade to SRAM’s XO1 Eagle offering.
Finally, topping the range is the F-Podium RR SL, the lightest and most expensive option. You’ll need to part with $13,99 USD (£10,799) to call this one your own. Suspension is taken care of by the RockShox SID fork and SIDLuxe shock (Ultimate level). The drivetrain is upgraded to the SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission. It also gets an electronic dropper seat post in the form of the RockShox Reverb AXS.
